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Please
consult the following ratings system for the evaluation of films
currently in theaters. Please note that films with themes
specifically adult in nature will be rated as (Adult) in addition to
being given an overall rating.
(CU)
Completely Unacceptable
-
Film contains levels of Sex, Violence, Profane Language and/or other
objectionable content that are gratuitous to the degree that the
film has absolutely no redeeming value either as a work of social
commentary or as an entertaining diversion.
Examples:
Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, Eyes Wide Shut, Eddie Murphy: Raw
(RU)
Rather Unacceptable
-
Film contains levels of Sex, Violence, Profane Language and/or other
objectionable content that are extreme. As such only through extreme
rationalization could someone consider the film fit for consumption.
The only reason to see it would be as a study of the current state
of Western culture.
Examples:
American Beauty
(SA)
Somewhat Acceptable
-
Aspects of objectionable Sex, Violence and Profane Language and/or
other questionable content exist, but either a) Not in a gratuitous
manner, b) Not in great frequency or c) With specific redeeming
intent. But be very careful.
Examples:
Malcolm X, American History X, The Matrix
(RA)
Rather Acceptable
-
Overall, the film is suitable for general consumption with some
concerns over thematic issues or minor objectionable content. But be
on the lookout for more subtle Western themes that are of concern to
Muslims such as romance and dating.
Examples:
Shrek, Atlantis
(CA)
Completely Acceptable
-
Film content is either tame or fully socially redeeming in nature.
Examples:
Jinnah, The Battle of Algiers, Bambi
Spirit:
Stallion of the Cimarron (CA)
Summary:
Thank goodness for animated film features. Without this genre of
film, there might be no movies for kids and families to go see
together without worrying about unacceptable content. Spirit:
Stallion of the Cimarron isn’t without its faults, but we’ll
get to those minor things in a minute. First, the good news.
This
film is a heart-warming, genuine tale of a horse’s life in the
American West circa the late 1800s. At a time when wild herds of
Mustangs still roamed the plains and tribes of Native Americans
hadn’t been completely exterminated by the U.S. government, a
remarkable horse was born: Spirit. In the film audiences see him
grow into maturity and learn what it is like to interact with
humans.
Of
special note in the film is Spirit’s relationship with a Lakota
native named Little Creek. The two meet as mutual captives of the
U.S. Cavalry. Spirit is being held because the soldiers want to
break him in and use him as a beast of burden. Little Creek is being
held basically because he’s Native American. The two make a daring
escape and become fast friends. The friendship is abruptly ended
however when a raid on the Little Creek’s village lands Spirit a
captive once again.
The
audience follows Spirit as he goes from being a free stallion to a
broken horse to a steed in search of his a life lost to
modernization. This film reminds us of what the West used to be like
and recalls a time when freedom meant something much different than
it does now.
Spirit:
Stallion of the Cimarron does have a brief, minor romantic
subplot that deals with Spirit falling for another horse. But that
is short and quite innocuous. In general this film is something that
parents and children alike can feel comfortable seeing.
Insomnia
(RU-Adult)
Summary:
Who would have ever thought that Robin Williams could be so
convincingly evil on screen. Known far and wide for his strange
sense of humor and often colorful performances in his films,
Williams has almost been typecast as a funny man. Therefore Insomnia
is a drastic departure for him, as he plays a deranged murder
suspect.
Starring
opposite Williams is fan favorite Al Pacino. Pacino’s character, a
veteran police officer named Will Dormer, finds himself stuck in
Alaska investigating a murder. Isolated and plagued by the
persistent “Midnight Sun” of the Alaskan summer, Dormer begins
to lose sleep. To make matters worse, the chief suspect in the
murder case (Williams) plays a psychological game of “cat and
mouse” with Dormer that eventually leads him to a certain
detachment from reality.
This
film would be considered a thriller or a crime suspense drama. As
such it explores the darker side of the human psyche, a topic quite
en vogue these days. There is a scene of brief nudity in this film
along with some violence and foul language. The themes are very
adult in nature, thus Insomnia is definitely not a film for kids. It
is also most likely not a film for the more discerning Muslim
moviegoer.
Enough
(SA-Adult)
Summary:
Domestic violence is a crime that plagues America. However, with all
the attention on burqas and so-called “honor killings” in the
Muslim world, one would think that women in the United States have
it good. That’s simply not the case.
Enough
deals with one woman’s struggle to escape a physically and
emotionally abusive husband. Jennifer Lopez plays the protagonist
who, after enduring as much abuse as she can bear, musters the
courage to leave her husband taking her young daughter with her.
Unfortunately the story does not end there, as the husband doggedly
pursues Lopez’s character leaving her always on edge and always on
the run.
Knowing
that she may eventually have to confront her spouse, Lopez’s
characters bones up on her self-defense techniques and fortifies
herself for the worst.
This
film has some fairly strong scenes of domestic violence, some foul
language and a little sensuality. Additionally the subject matter of
the film is very adult in nature and therefore it disqualifies as a
kids’ film. But Enough does deal with an important societal issue
that is often glossed over, and Muslims might want to see the movie
for the commentary it makes. However moviegoers should be very wary
of the aforementioned questionable material.
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